Social media users are comparing a resurfaced clip of Johnny Carson to Jimmy Kimmel in the wake of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.

Carson gave an opening monologue at the 1981 Oscars, an event that was delayed due to the failed assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, carried out by John Hinckley Jr. on March 30th at the very same Washington Hilton Hotel. The clip quickly went viral as users noticed a distinct difference between Carson’s response, and the reactions of current late-night comic Jimmy Kimmel.

Watch:

MUST WATCH:

Johnny Carson (a Democrat) opens the 1981 Oscars, a day after the assassination attempt on President Reagan, with genuine class and respect.

The entire liberal Hollywood crowd erupts in applause.

Today? Jimmy Kimmel jokes about Melania Trump becoming a widow. pic.twitter.com/1P39HK6EyF

— Alec Lace (@AlecLace) April 28, 2026

“I’m sure that all of you here and most of you watching tonight understand why we delayed this program by 24 hours,” he began. “Because of the incredible events of yesterday, that old adage ‘the show must go on’ seemed relatively unimportant. The Academy, ABC Television and all of us connected with the show felt, because of the uncertain outcome as of this time yesterday, it would have been inappropriate to stage a celebration.”

“But the news today is very good, as you know. The president is in excellent condition, per last reports, he’s been conducting business,” he continued as the room erupted into cheers. “And he happens to be in very good spirits. After all, you must remember, this is a man who, yesterday, while he was in the hospital, unable to speak, wrote on a sheet of paper, ‘All things considered, I’d rather be in Philadelphia.’ So tonight, the show does go on.”

This was contrasted with a joke Kimmel made on Thursday about First Lady Melania Trump having “a glow like an expectant widow.” Following what is being labeled a failed assassination attempt on her husband’s life, the first lady condemned the “joke” as yet another thinly-veiled endorsement of violence against the president.

Rather than having the grace of Carson, Kimmel refused to apologize for his comments. He excused the joke as being one about the age gap between Trump and his wife, but considering this is the third unsuccessful attempt to kill the president, that excuse is not flying for many.

X users reacted to the comparison:

Back when democrats had class

— We Won’t Remain Silent (@LacysLoveCavemn) April 28, 2026

Back when democrats had class

— We Won’t Remain Silent (@LacysLoveCavemn) April 28, 2026

Crazy how 40 years ago the Democrats were normal . They may have disagreed with the Republicans but they were not insensitive when something serious occurred . Now they have lost their minds and are hateful people!

— R. Cen (@rich6725) April 28, 2026

I am conservative. Libs of yesteryear were nothing like crazy Dems of today. Our differences were truly conservative v liberal regarding fiscal/moral values. Now it is Christian v Islam, Capitalism v Socialism, Good v Evil. The divide began with Obama. Now TDS rots the lib brain.

— GKim (@GKimbrougj) April 28, 2026

And Johnny Carson was actually funny.

— Abigail van buren (@abigail_buren) April 28, 2026

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